The Israeli army has placed an Iron Dome air defence system battery
by the Red Sea resort of Eilat near the border with Egypt, a
statement from the military said on Thursday.

"An Iron Dome Active Missile Defence System battery is currently
deployed near Eilat as part of its operational deployment program,
which includes changing the locations of the batteries from time to
time," the statement read.

The deployment comes amid increasing tensions along the border and
uncertainty regarding the political climate in Egypt following the
election of the Muslim Brotherhood´s Mohamed Mursi.

An Israeli defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity,
stressed that the deployment "was not for operational ends, rather
for preparation and acquaintance with the territory and calibration."